I am a photographer, Graphic Designer and a stay-at-home-mom who enjoys blogging and writing reviews. Photography and cars are my passion. I post about various topics including health & beauty, events, automotive, music, film, travel, food, and sometimes giveaway contests.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

The Book of Lost Fragrances by M.J. Rose

A sweeping and suspenseful tale of secrets, intrigue, and lovers separated by time, all connected through the mystical qualities of a perfume created in the days of Cleopatra--and lost for 2,000 years.

Summary

Jac L'Etoile has always been haunted by the past, her memories infused with the exotic scents that she grew up surrounded by as the heir to a storied French perfume company. In order to flee the pain of those remembrances--and of her mother's suicide--she moved to America. Now, fourteen years later she and her brother have inherited the company along with it's financial problems. But when Robbie hints at an earth-shattering discovery in the family archives and then suddenly goes missing--leaving a dead body in his wake--Jac is plunged into a world she thought she'd left behind.

Back in Paris to investigate her brother's disappearance, Jac becomes haunted by the legend the House of L'Etoile has been espousing since 1799. Is there a scent that can unlock the mystery of reincarnation - or is it just another dream infused perfume?

The Book of Lost Fragrances fuses history, passion, and suspense, moving from Cleopatra's Egypt and the terrors of revolutionary France to Tibet's battle with China and the glamour of modern-day Paris. Jac's quest for the ancient perfume someone is willing to kill for becomes the key to understanding her own troubled past.

My Review

There seemed to be a lot of things happening in each chapter. I was drawn into it and wanted to keep on reading to find out more of the story. I think this is a wonderful novel and I really enjoyed it. M.J. Rose's research and storytelling are absolutely amazing. The mix of suspense, the mystery fantasy and the history of ancient Egypt are quite intriguing.

In the beginning of the book, it also tells about the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama where Tibet's living Buddhas have been banned from reincarnation without permission from China's atheist leaders. The ban is included in new rules intended to assert Beijing's authority over Tibet's restive and deeply Buddhist people.

M.J. Rose is the international best selling author of eleven novels (including The Reincarnist, The Memorist, and The Hipnotist) and two non-fiction books on marketing. Her fiction and non-fiction has appeared in many magazines and reviews including Oprah Magazine. She has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, Time, USA Today and on the Today Show, and NPR radio.

She is a founding board member of International Thriller Writers and the founder for the first marketing company fr authors at Authorbuzz.com. She is also the co-founder of Peroozal.com and BookTrib.com.

Rose currently lives in CT with her husband the musician and composer, Doug Scofield, and their very spoiled and often photographed dog, Winka.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the mentioned book from the author, M.J. Rose, in exchange for my review. The opinions expressed in my review are my own personal and honest thoughts. No other compensation was given.